Now, there are two sections to this article, and I must preface this fact. The first section briefly states, again, why these instances of misappropriation are bad. The second section gets into a straight fashion critique.

MisappropriationIn numerous previous posts, I have brought up why cases of Native American misappropriations are bad. They are unethical, and in some cases illegal. In this case, at first we presume that Jeremy Scott was inspired by totem poles carved by Northwest Coast tribal members, but it appears instead he aimed to be in the same ballpark as cheap, non-Native-made, tourist souvenir shop, Taiwan-made, knock-offs. His (above) lacks the sophistication and knowledge that is evidenced in the pole to the bottom right.

Thunderbird House Post, by Tony Hunt

Totem poles tell stories, and relay information about our lineage, heritage, and history. They tell important stories about who we were and who we are now. The images on these poles are owned by the various families and clans they represent, and unauthorized copies are seen as infringements upon rights. At the turn of the last century (and the 50 years that followed) family-owned totem poles were chopped down without authorization and relocated to museums throughout the world as relics of dying cultures. They were also relocated to parks where they became tourist hot spots, and miniature Native-made totems were sold. Later, Native artists were excluded altogether, and the souvenir-making was outsourced and cheap knock-offs filled the shelves of dimestores, gas stations and tourist shops - negatively impacting public perception of the artistry and talent of totem pole carvers.

People like outsourcers and Jeremy Scott greatly affect non-Native people’s perceptions of Native American art and aesthetics. They also impact our economies.

Back in the 1920s and 1930s, non-Native ‘friends of Indians’ noticed that the creation and marketing of Native American arts could have a positive economic impact in Native communities. Thus, the Indian Arts and Crafts Act was enacted to protect Native artists against people who falsely suggested that their artwork was Native-made. This act sought to help protect Native artists who were working to bring money into their communities from companies who would mass-produce cheap knock-offs, and thus produce unfair competition and redirect money into the pockets of a few versus back to where the money was needed to continue these important living artistic cultural practices. Over the years, the IACA hasn't always been supportive of Native artists and has lost a lot of clout - big companies with big lawyers find ways to circumvent our rights to our cultural capital, imagery and names. Furthermore, the jury is still out on whether or not 'fashion' is considered 'art,' adding another potential loophole to the mix.

The Case of the Yellow Crotch
There appears to be a recent trend in fashion for companies, 'artists,' and lame designers to bite Native style and fail. If you’re unfamiliar with the term ‘bite,’ let me share the definition: this word can be used to describe an instance of someone taking, stealing, copying, or imitating another person’s style, usually in a way that is of lesser quality and is displeasing. And that my friends is exactly what is going on here. Jeremy Scott (and Adidas): You are a cheap, cheesy biter.

Bizarre, garish, unpleasant and disgusting were several terms used to describe this outfit by people in the Native American community (and what's with that distasteful neon yellow crotch?). Several individuals noticed that his inspiration was unoriginal, and that his take on Northwest Coast formline was ignorant, disrespectful and badly construed (in other words, Scott needs to work on his ovoids and u-forms). He produced this collection with little to no knowledge of the complex stylistic conventions of Northwest Coast. Designs such as his actively work to reduce public respect for the deep cultural knowledge and artistic skill needed to design, create, and carve a pole. This last statement is particularly important because one reviewer noted that Scott's collection was all about "expanding your cultural horizons."

PREACH. I think an important dynamic that often gets lost in the shuffle of "but what is racism/privilege/cultural appropriation anyway?" is the question of who profits - and at what cost. As important as it is to look at the negative impact cultural appropriation in fashion has on Native people, even if people who don't have good/any critical race analysis skills should be able to understand the concept of a "biter." How shallow and unoriginal to cherry pick from cultures you clearly know nothing about. How rude and awful it is for major brands like these to make piles of money from this so-called "inspiration" when racist attitudes and disenfranchisement of people from these Northwest Coastal communities are so pervasive. As if dropping over 200$ on a tracksuit made in China will truly expand your cultural horizons...

Amazing piece. I had no idea.... I will know the next time I see this in a store because it speak to the level of ignorance in our society.... people would like to forget the injustices and the past that native Americans have endured.. but to forget and to live in denial is to deny justice to the very people affected.

As a blend of Scot-Irish and Eastern Cherokee, I often find collections like Adidas offensive, but they might also be trying to honor the beauty of creativity of Native Americans by "cherry-picking" the designs. Would you find it so unpleasant and distasteful if you could participate in the profits of these endeavors?

I have a slightly different take on this. While I may not like the fact that Non-Natives make cheap knock offs of Native Arts and clothing thus taking the market away from Native Artists and designers. I don't necessarily find it "Offensive" I think we, as a culture, throw that term around far too often... A cheap bow and arrow from China is nothing to get offended over. Honestly the only thing to do is make a superior quality item and pray that people will pay the higher price for the quality...

Honestly, what do you do? you cannot patent a broad concept such as Native American influenced design... So Fight fire with fire, I say... If people like Native American design give it to them... THE REAL DEAL...

To tell you the truth, i am shocked that so many people sit back and get "offended" yet the only place to really find Native American goods is at a Pow Wow... 99% of the vendors I meet at Pow Wow's in my area. Only travel the Pow Wow circuit and have no store front. Not even an ONLINE store. Maybe it is completely different out West and Maybe the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic is a vacuum ...Who knows. Maybe I am a bit idealistic to think that people just might rather buy Real Pendleton Vest than some $900 Ralph Lauren Knock off...

I think the Native American Community is too closed off. Most people are naive and truly mean no harm when imitating our art and design. It's no different how Asian cultural items and designs have been incorporated into modern society. You don't see the Japanese screaming bloody murder everytime a new corner sushi bar opens up or when someone wants to dress in a Kimono. WE as neative Americans have to open up and not wear our feelings on our sleeves. WE have to step up and take control of the market... WE could to add accuracy to and consult... with designers... But hey, we could continue to be offended by everything and shut ourselves off from the rest of the world...

Misappropriation from the Heida, and now in legal trouble from Santa Cruz Skateboardshttp://theberrics.com/news/nhssanta-cruz-and-jimbo-and-james-phillips-resolve-dispute-with-fashion-designer-jeremy-scott.html

These outfits are beautiful, taste is subjective, and all the cognitive dissonance of the social justice crowd in terms of who has a right to inflict their subjective judgements objectively on the masses are laughable. Attempting to dictate the inspiration of artists and claiming you are hurt by art that is very plainly by non-Indians for entertainment purposes only goes to show that people like you are weak and do not deserve to be humoured if your existence is so terribly threatened by freedom of expression.

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About the Author

I am Turtle Mountain Chippewa from North Dakota, I have a Ph.D., and I write about Native American art, fashion, and design. I also own and operate the Beyond Buckskin Boutique, which sells Native American fashion, and I recently launched a new site, Red Willow Poetry.